Nengmao: Looking forward to going back

Shanghai takes the saying, “everything old is new again,” to heart when it comes to fashion with all things retro ruling the indie fashion scene. Leader of the Chinese retro pack, according to NeocheEDGE, is Xixi, the brains behind the Nengmao brand.

Nengmao embodies Chinese retro chic, with a child-like, nostalgic enthusiasm for the best of the 1980s. 

Moving on, moving central 

The opening of the Nengmao store in the French Concession in late 2009 was actually a re-opening. The store was originally located in an old warehouse on Wanhangdu Lu and had a sizable local following. Needless to say fans were not happy when it closed its retro doors. 

The re-opening of the more central -- albeit slightly smaller -- location called for a hipster celebration, and retro-lovers flocked to check out the vintage toys, rusty thermos flasks and old car models. The store is as much a draw as the products inside.

As one writer put it, “come here if you want to know what a dining hall looked like in China in the 1980s. It's an updated version though, with its wooden floor and leather sofa.”

Nengmao offers a limited, unisex line of 1980s-inspired coats, T-shirts and bags, all designed by the store’s owner Xixi. For example, a black 'Shanghai' handbag (RMB 389), pays tribute to a popular Shanghai bag of the shoulder pad-wearing era.

What's in a name?

The name Nengmao comes from a misspelling from Xixi’s youth.

He tells NeochaEDGE, “Nengmao was a tiny misspelling of the word ‘panda’ in pinyin Chinese (xiongmao) that I made in elementary school. For some reason, this mistake always reminds me how silly but sweet childhood is. Now I’ve made this little misspelled creature come to life and hope to remind everyone of the happiness of our childhood.” 

Nengmao products are also available online (Chinese only).

Shaanxi Nan Lu, Lane 38, No. 96, near to Xinle Lu (look for the light green bench in front of the store) 陕西南路39弄96号底楼, 近新乐路